This year, Diwali was an idyllic excuse to bring the holiday celebrations on as early as physically possible. Also known as the Indian festival of lights, it's meant as a celebration of all the good we have in our lives. Traditionally, we get together with our extended families for massive celebrations involving fireworks, sparklers card games, homemade fried snacks, and mouth-watering desserts.
For many of us immigrant families spending our holidays abroad from most of our family, Bollywood movies aren't just a fantastic source of entertainment (which they absolutely are). They're a medium by which we feel connected to our culture, mother tongue, traditional garb, and — most importantly — the Bollywood dancing [1]. This year's festival of lights included a lot of candlelit prayers and family time, but for me the lights I liked most came from my TV screen.
Nearly every classic Bollywood movie [2] worth watching features an iconic Diwali scene — or, at least a dance sequence. Whether you've watched each of these hit movies 18 times already (as I have) or have finally decided to give the genre a try, these family-friendly movies are guaranteed to light your Diwali night with fireworks.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
This tops the list for the movie's iconic Diwali scene. When protagonist Rahul comes home for celebrations, his mom senses his arrival and waits for him at the door before he even gets to the doorstep. The family goes through a tumultuous time when Rahul falls for a girl the family doesn't approve of, but the entire movie is filled with beautifully cheesy moments between brothers, sisters, and parents everyone with a close family will relate to.
Watch Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham on Netflix [3].
Happy New Year
By the Hindu calendar, Diwali marks the beginning of a new year, and this one is the best way to bring in the Diwali celebrations in a big way. One of the newer movies on this list, this one is great if you're looking for something less cheesy though it's still very lighthearted. It's filled with lots of fun dance numbers, which makes this a good one to get up and take dance breaks to in between your samosas and chai.
Watch Happy New Year on Netflix [4].
Om Shanti Om
Another classic, the battle between good and evil in this film mirrors the classic Diwali sentiment of good always triumphing. Lighthearted at times, protagonist Om's monologues have a serious way of tugging at the heart strings of anyone who's ever had big dreams or would do anything to pursue their passion for justice.
Watch Om Shanti Om on Netflix [5].
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
One of the first Bollywood movies ever to be nominated for an Oscar, this is a must-watch for any movie lover. Any Indian person who has watched this has left the movie with more pride in their homeland than when they left. When a small village in India revolts against British rule over their town, they place a bet on a cricket match. With a heartwarming love story woven throughout, I've yet to meet anyone who didn't like this movie.
Watch Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India on Netflix [6].
Swades
The title "Swades" literally translates to "Our Land" in Hindi. The drama, based on a true story, is about an Indian man raised abroad who comes to India to see what the country is really about. The deep love he finds for his country truly tugs at the heart strings, which makes this a great one for any child of Indian immigrants to watch with their parents. I've watched my parents watch this one with pride several times, and there's no better time to honour the roots of their homeland than on Diwali.
Watch Swades on Netflix [7].
Hum Saath Saath Hain
Though I've admittedly watched this extremely cheesy movie at least forty times over the years, the feel-good vibes of it make it perfect for Diwali. Rather than having a straight storyline, this one is really just about a growing family and the different weddings and love stories that happen in it. With all of the wedding and traditional Indian celebrations that take place throughout this movie, it's the perfect way to get anyone in the traditional spirit of the holiday. If you are an avid watcher of the Hallmark channel around the holidays, this is the one for you.
Watch Hum Saath Saath Hain on Netflix [8].
Hum Aapke Hain Koun
Another classic, this one has some of the most iconic celebratory songs South Asian people dance to at all celebrations, including Diwali. The love story between spunky Nisha and boy next door Prem shines, but the real moral of the story is the importance of family and how their close family relationships are what bring them together.
Watch Hum Aapke Hain Koun on Netflix [9].
Rang De Basanti
A film about a group of college friends turned freedom fighters under India's British rule, this is another one that's bound to boost your Indian pride. The overarching tragic and dramatic theme is offset by beautiful tear-jerking moments of friendship. If you have a group of best friends you consider your family, this one's bound to make you text them to tell them how much you love them.
Watch Rang De Basanti on Netflix [10].
Andaz Apna Apna
A hilariously lighthearted film, I watch this one with my extended family every single year. The all-star cast of four features some of the most hilarious moments of Bollywood history amongst a dual love story. It has everything Bollywood is known for: cheesy romantic moments, a hilariously dense villain, and some sappy love songs you'd be dead in your soul not to dance to.
Watch Andaz Apna Apna on Netflix [11].
Dilwale
Bollywood's favourite duo is superstars Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan. The two star in this movie that's just as romantic as it is dramatic, and the whole basis of the movie is all about the blurred lines between good and evil — what Diwali is all about. Imagine your favourite classic romance got an upgrade and a twist.
Watch Dilwale on Netflix [12].